Staff Retirement Information

Staff Retirement Information

Employees who retire from the district with fifteen (15) years of experience and have reached the age of fifty-five (55) will be able to draw on proceeds from their VEBA account. The employer will establish a VEBA account at the time a person is employed to which presently one half percent (.5%) of the teacher’s annual income is deposited. The vendor to administer these funds is chosen jointly by Elkhart Community Schools and the Elkhart Teachers Association. Numerous investment options are available with the chosen vendor.

State Teacher Retirement Fund Benefits

To be eligible for normal, unreduced state retirement benefits, one of the following requirements must be met:

Age 65 with 10 years of creditable service; age 60 with 15 years of creditable service; or age 55 if age and creditable service total at least 85.

Early, reduced benefit retirement is available at age 50 with 15 or more years of creditable service.

To schedule an individual appointment with a Teachers’ Retirement Fund representative, click here.

Since the requirements for receiving local benefits and the actual formulas for figuring the benefits vary from employee group to employee group for classified staff, each employee will need to check his/her employee group manual to find the requirements and formulas. If you have questions after reading your manual, call the Personnel Department at 574-262-5510.

State Public Employee Retirement Fund Benefits

To be eligible for normal, unreduced state retirement benefits, one of the following requirements must be met:

Age 65 with 10 years of creditable service; age 60 with 15 years of creditable service; or age 55 if age and creditable service total at least 85.

Early, reduced benefit retirement is available at age 50 with 15 or more years of creditable service.

If you worked in the state of Indiana in positions covered by both the Teachers’ Retirement Fund and the Public Employees’ Retirement Fund, your years of creditable service will be combined, and your benefits will be based on the total of years and funds credited to both accounts. The employee will choose which fund the retirement benefit is paid from.

About ECS

Elkhart Community Schools is a district that serves approximately 13,000 students, and is known for high-quality programs, exceptional teachers, superior learning environments, and strong parental and community support.

Whether you were born in the area or you are looking to call Elkhart County your new home, we welcome the opportunity for you and your family to become part of our growing school family.